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Report: Tips on Creating Fat-fighting Communities
from The Associated Press
 Where you live matters when it comes to children's waistlines, says a report that finds lots of options localities could and should use to fight child obesity -- from easy bike paths, to luring healthier stores, to taxes on junk food. The report by the Institute of Medicine says local environments hugely influence those choices -- and it calls on city and county governments to make it easier for families to make healthier decisions. More
 
Federal Legislation Aims to Get Kids Off the Couch and Exploring the Outdoors
from The Grand Rapids Press
Dozens of local nature centers, recreation organizations, clubs and other educational groups are redoubling their efforts to reintroduce children to the great outdoors with the help of nonprofit organization donors and possible federal funding. The U.S. House last September approved the No Child Left Inside Act. The measure awaits approval from the Senate. Meanwhile, state nature groups are moving forward with new programming and awareness efforts. More
No Excuses for Not Getting Outside
from The Lindsay Post
As kids get ready to head back to school, this is a good time to consider the evidence regarding childhood health. Children and adolescents spend far fewer hours playing outside today than they did in the past. Those of us older than 35 recall how eagerly as kids we looked forward to getting out of school so that we could play. Today things are different. More
Sliding with Child on Lap is Risky
from Seattle's Child
In a study published this week in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics, a relationship was found between young children going down a slide on the lap of an adult and tibia, or shinbone, fractures. Over an 11-month period, 13.8 percent of such fractures in kids at New York's Winthrop University Hospital were incurred while sliding on an adult's lap. Their ages ranged from 14 to 32 months. More
Gov 2.0: It’s All about the Platform
from Tech Crunch
A lot of people equate the term Gov 2.0 with government use of social media, either to solicit public participation or to get out its message in new ways. Some people think it means making government more transparent. Some people think it means adding AJAX to government websites, or replacing those websites with government APIs, or building new cloud platforms for shared government services. And yes, it means all those things. More
Outdoor Program Provides Activities for about 300 Underserved Children
from YubaNet
This summer, Forests Inside Out! was launched to get Portland, Ore., children out into nature. The new program offered 300 children immersive and unforgettable indoor and outdoor experiences. The children, ages 6 to 10, came from diverse and underserved communities in the Portland and Vancouver metropolitan area. “This program promotes an active, outdoor lifestyle for young children who may not otherwise get into the woods and learn about nature and science,” says Bov Eav, Station Director of the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station, one of the funding partners for Forests Inside Out! More
Michigan Parks have Economic Impact to County
from ABC Local
For the past five years the Genesee County, Mich., Parks and Recreation Commission has developed both local and statewide partnerships that have translated into thousands of dollars worth of media exposure, increased Web traffic to the Parks Web site, and has been mutually beneficial for all partners involved. In a recent TV interview on WTVG-TV Parks Director Amy McMillan shares the positive economic impact her parks continue to play in the Flint and Genesee County Community. More
A Loaded Question
from Athletic Business
As political issues go, gun control has always been explosive. Or, as Nashville and Davidson County (Tenn.) Metro Parks director Roy Wilson more tactfully puts it, "politically divisive." Just look at Wilson's home state, where the issue of gun control in parks and recreation areas ignited political firefights throughout the summer — after the state Legislature approved a bill that repealed a decades-old law preventing guns in local parks. More
Survey: Worst of Recession has yet to Hit U.S. Cities' Coffers
from CNN
The light at the end of the recession tunnel is distant and dim for the nation's cities, according to a survey by the National League of Cities. While optimistic federal officials hint at an economic turnaround, city finance officers say the picture remains bleak for city governments. This is chiefly because a top source of municipal income -- property tax revenue -- tends to lag behind changes in the market. More
Clean Up or Shut Down; Cost Saving Swimming Pool Maintenance Solutions
One of the worst complaints a facility manager can receive is that their swimming pool is not clean; be it the morning lap swimmer, the weekend bather or worse case – the inspector. To remain within budget and actually lower expenses, such as water, chemicals and labor in particular, more parks and recreation facilities have chosen an Aqua Products "robotic" cleaner as the solution to maintain their aquatic facility more than any other. These reliable cleaners work autonomously to scrub, vacuum and filter without hoists, hoses or manual labor, and the savings realized pays for the purchase in as little as 3 months. More
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San Diego Nature Center Deemed County's Greenest Building
from the San Diego Union-Tribune
The San Elijo Nature Center, which opened in January in San Diego, has been recognized as the “greenest” public building in San Diego County. The center, made from recycled materials, including old blue jeans, is the first local government building to receive a LEED Platinum certification, the highest ranking for sustainable design from the U.S. Green Business Council. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. More
California Officials Brainstorm Budget Strategies for State Parks
from the Malibu Times
Attendees poured into an informational hearing held in Santa Monica, Calif., last week, at which Senator Fran Pavley discussed ways to mitigate the devastating effects of budget cuts on the California State Park system. "We have the best state parks in our district," Pavley said at the beginning of the meeting. "But California's fiscal situation is getting worse and the parks department relies on the health of the state's general fund for its budget. With the stock market plummeting, we, as owners of our parks, must brainstorm on ways to keep them open and healthy." More
Trailblazing Teens among Those Creating New Recreation Routes
from the Illinois Valley News
A trio of Illinois Valley teen-agers left their mark this summer, trailblazing throughout Illinois Valley. Margaret Ruiz, Tyler Badger and Troy Starbuck worked through an eight-week stimulus package-funded program, digging out a 18-to-24 inch wide single-track trail bed and cutting brush in 100-plus degree weather. More
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Green products now available under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
 For park and recreational products or construction and building materials available on GSA contract for ARRA or Disaster Recovery programs visit our Web site at www.plasticrecycling.us. |
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Product Showcase: DOGIPOT
 DOGIPOT introduces its OXO-BIODEGRADABLE Litter Pick Up Bags. These new and improved litter pick up bags are one of the most environmentally conscious pet waste bags on the market and designed to not only help rid parks, recreation areas, campgrounds and RV Parks of the unsightly, smelly, nuisance of dog waste, but also minimize the environmental impact of bagged dog waste. There are DOGIPOT imitators in the market, but nobody is able to match DOGIPOT’s experience, high quality, environmentally-conscious product line, world class customer service or value. Experience the DOGIPOT Advantage! More info
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Product Showcase:
Eaton RV Park Hookups
 Eaton's extensive line of pedestals, distribution equipment, and wire allow us to offer a complete electrical solution for RV park owners and developers. We also provide a complimentary electrical layout to minimize equipment and wire cost and to reduce installation time. Order your pedestals online at www.rvparkhookups.com and save 10%.
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Product Showcase: Goric
 Goric specializes in play equipment that develops physical strength, invokes the senses; elements which are exciting to children, durable, and are architecturally interesting and aesthetically pleasing. More info
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DOGIPOT
